I learned with surprise that they filled no public appointments; *f not one of them is to be met with in the administration, and they are not even represented in the legislative assemblies.

In several States *g the law excludes them from political life, public opinion in all.

And when I came to inquire into the prevailing spirit of the clergy I found that most of its members seemed to retire of their own accord from the exercise of power, and that they made it the pride of their profession to abstain from politics.
[Footnote f: Unless this term be applied to the functions which many of them fill in the schools.

Almost all education is entrusted to the clergy.] [Footnote g: See the Constitution of New York, art.

7, Section 4:-- "And whereas the ministers of the gospel are, by their profession, dedicated to the service of God and the care of souls, and ought not to be diverted from the great duties of their functions: therefore no minister of the gospel, or priest of any denomination whatsoever, shall at any time hereafter, under any pretence or description whatever, be eligible to, or capable of holding, any civil or military office or place within this State." See also the constitutions of North Carolina, art.